If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that Star Wars is packed with details that make us appreciate it even more every time we watch.
And sometimes, the coolest details are hidden in plain sight, just waiting for someone to notice.
One of the most interesting of these is all about Mace Windu’s lightsaber and how it changes as he rises through the Jedi ranks.
Before he’s a Jedi Master, his hilt is simple, but later on, it gains a gold touch called electrum—a sign of his elevated status.
And this Star Wars episode brings that detail to life.
So, here’s the exact detail I want to dive into. Let’s begin!
The Meaning Behind Electrum Detailing
Traditionally, electrum—a rare, gold-colored metal—is reserved for Jedi who have reached the highest ranks, such as council members or other influential leaders within the Order.
The addition of electrum isn’t just decorative; it’s a badge of honor and authority, a subtle yet powerful way the Order acknowledges a Jedi’s wisdom and responsibility.
In Tales of the Jedi, Mace Windu wields the same iconic purple lightsaber we later see in Revenge of the Sith.
But if you look closely at the hilt in Tales of the Jedi, you’ll notice a difference—it’s missing the gold, or “electrum,” detailing that appears in Revenge of the Sith.
If you’ve watched Tales of the Jedi, you’ll know that, during this time, Mace Windu is still not a Jedi Council member.
That is why Windu’s lightsaber hilt looks white and unadorned, just like any other normal Jedi’s.
Why Mace Windu’s Lightsaber Lacks Electrum Detailing in Tales of the Jedi
As I mentioned earlier, in Tales of the Jedi: Choices, Mace Windu’s lightsaber hilt lacks the gold electrum detailing we see later in Revenge of the Sith.
That’s because, at this point, he’s probably still a Jedi Knight and hasn’t yet reached the rank of Jedi Master.
If we look at the timeline, Mace was born in 72 BBY and became a Jedi Master around the age of 28, placing that promotion around 44 BBY.
However, the events of Tales of the Jedi: Choices occur around 50-48 BBY, meaning Mace isn’t officially a Jedi Council member or Jedi Master yet.
This doesn’t quite align with the end of Choices, where Mace is offered a Council seat to replace Master Katri, who was killed and whose death he investigates with Count Dooku.
If you’ve watched Tales of the Jedi: Choices, you’ll remember that Mace and Dooku are on a mission to investigate Master Katri’s death, which means the Council is down a member.
And given how strictly the Jedi adhere to their code, they would need a replacement quickly.
Mace may have been chosen to fill this role as part of the Council, but without the rank of Jedi Master just yet, possibly planting the seed for the line “You are on this Council, but we do not grant you the rank of Master.”